HAC2GM::TOCCL1::FERRIBY@athena.hac.COM (John.D.Ferriby@athena.hac.com, 524-8197 or 8-224-8197, 313) (06/01/88)
> ...though with V5 DECnet I think > they can go higher than the current 63. > > Ruth Milner > Systems Manager > University of Toronto Physics The DECnet phase V General Description is available. It is order number EK-DNAPV-GD. This is *not* a functional spec, though it certainly presents more detail than most have seen to date. Now, I do not profess to be a guru or wizard, take the following information with a grain of salt! [STAB IN THE DARK #1] In section 5.2.3, page 39 it specifically talks about addressing, with the focus on the NSAP (Network Service Access Point). This is [I believe] currently used by the National Bureau of Standards. Section 5.2.1 talks about the top domain as an 'administrative' domain, which may be subdivided into 'routing' domains which may or may not be 'DNA routing' domains. This raised more curiousities in than answered questions for me. Section 5.2.2 talks about the type of systems that exist in DNA. For the most part, these types look identical to the three we live with now -- Nonrouting, Routing and Area -- with the exception being that level 2 routers now allow for 'static' routing to other domains [read as 'administrative' domain?]. All this suggests to me that there are now, effectively, three distinct upward routing schemas -- inter-node, inter-area and inter-network -- within the DNA context. In section 8.2, page 64 of the document it begins to talk about naming conventions, which will be migrated to domain style addressing, evidentaly replacing the familiar single domain of DECnet I through IV. [STAB IN THE DARK #2] Having investigated VMS V5 quite a bit, it appears that some of the data structures that will be required for this are beginning to be appear. The structures do not look like they are being used yet. I will be interested to follow this further in the future. [COMMENT] Because of the extreme proliferation of networks -- especially considering the ease of creation of DECnet networks -- I believe phase V will have a tremendous impact on many corporate and academic networks in the next several years. [Mixed-mode and migratory actions mainly...] Any alternate revelations or additions are certainly welcomed. If anyone can clarify or explain this further, please do not hesitate! [No rumors please, I have heard too many already!] John //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// / John D. Ferriby Corporate DECnet: TOCCL1::FERRIBY / / Software Systems - Networking -or- 2056::FERRIBY / / EDS - Plant Automation Division Arpa: FERRIBY%TOCCL1.GM@HAC2ARPA.HAC.COM / / 300 East Big Beaver / / Troy, Michigan 48007-7019 / ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////